Electrochemical Tailoring of Fibrous Polyaniline and Electroless Decoration with Gold and Platinum Nanoparticles

Presented in this work is a facile and quick electrochemical method for controlling the morphology of thick polyaniline (PANi) films, without the use of templates. By stepping the polymerization potential from high voltages to a lower (or series of lower) voltage(s), we successfully controlled the morphology of the polymer, and fibrous structures, unique to each potential step, were achieved. In addition, the resultant film was tested electrochemically for its viability as an electrode material for flexible batteries and supercapacitors. Furthermore, the PANi film was decorated with gold and platinum nanoparticles via an electroless deposition process for possible electrocatalytic applications, whereby the oxidation of hydrazine at the composite was investigated.

High-throughput approach for the identification of anilinium-based ionic liquids that are suitable for electropolymerisation

We report the synthesis of new protic ionic liquids (PILs) based on aniline derivatives and the use of high-throughput (HT) techniques to screen possible candidates. In this work, a simple HT method was applied to rapidly screen different aniline derivatives against different acids in order to identify possible combinations that produce PILs. This was followed by repeating the HT process with a Chemspeed robotic synthesis platform for more accurate results. One of the successful combinations were then chosen to be synthesised on a larger scale for further analysis. The new PILs are of interest to the fields of ionic liquids, energy storage and especially, conducting polymers as they serve as solvents, electrolytes and monomers at the same time for possible electropolymerisation (i.e. a self-contained polymer precursor).

Storing energy in plastics: a review on conducting polymers & their role in electrochemical energy storage

This review article on conducting polymers discusses the background & theory behind their conductivity, the methods to nano-engineer special morphologies & recent contributions to the field of energy (e.g.supercapacitors, batteries and fuel cells).

Ionic liquids as an electrolyte for the electro synthesis of organic compounds

The use of ionic liquids (ILs) as a solvent and an electrolyte for electro organic synthesis has been reviewed.

Copolymerization of EDOT with pyrrole on TiO2 semiconductor films by one-step reaction, structure-dependent electronic properties, and charge conduction models of the composite films

We used the photoexcited TiO2 films to initiate the copolymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene with pyrrole, aiming to develop an organic/inorganic heterojunction. Specular reflection infrared spectroscopy analysis was used to monitor the process of polymerization and indicated that the copolymers directly grew on the TiO2 substrate. Dissecting the copolymers with ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the evolution of the valence-band electronic structures. Moreover, the resulting copolymer/TiO2 heterojunctions were investigated using electrochemical impedence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The Al/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene-co-pyrrole)/TiO2/ITO heterojunction device that was prepared from the hybrid film exhibited a conspicuous rectification. The heterojunction device was also explored with respect to the conduction models.

Role of H+ in Polypyrrole and Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Formation Using FeCl3·6H2O in the Room Temperature Ionic Liquid, C4mpyrTFSI

The polymerisation reaction of pyrrole and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene using the chemical oxidant FeCl3·6H2O in the room temperature ionic liquid butyl-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (C4mpyrTFSI) has been investigated using cyclic voltammetry, UV/vis and IR spectroscopy. The voltammetric data for the Fe2+/3+ reaction is complicated by the presence of H+ introduced upon dissolution of the iron salt by deprotonation of the coordinated waters. The voltammetric and chemical reaction studies show that H+ itself, introduced to solution as trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (HTFSI), can act as the chemical oxidant for the polymerisation reaction. Voltammetric data also implies that in this system the Fe2+/3+ redox couple may not actually be involved in the polymerisation reaction and that the H+ introduced upon dissolution of the FeCl3·6H2O may be the sole cause of the oxidation reaction.

Electrochemical deposition of conducting polymer coatings on magnesium surfaces in ionic liquid

A conducting polymer-based smart coating for magnesium (Mg) implants that can both improve the corrosion resistance of Mg and release a drug in a controllable way is reported. As the ionic liquid is a highly conductive and stable solvent with a very wide electrochemical window, the conducting polymer coatings can be directly electrodeposited on the active metal Mg in ionic liquid under mild conditions, and Mg is highly stable during the electrodeposition. The electrodeposited poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) coatings on Mg are uniform and can significantly improve the corrosion resistance of Mg. In addition, the PEDOT coatings can load the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone during the electrodeposition, which can be subsequently released upon electric stimulation.